Uefa has strict Euro 2024 pitch rule in place after Man Utd clash sparked controversy
UEFA have implemented rules around watering of pitches at Euro 2024 to avoid a repeat of Manchester United’s clash with Bournemouth.
In April, a Premier League game between the two sides led to mocking on social media after fans spotted one penalty area being noticeably water-logged at the Vitality Stadium.
Viewers described the match, which ended 2-2, as taking place on a “swimming pool”.
The incident was caused by over-watering before the game.
But no such problems are expected in Germany this summer as a result of regulations put in place by Uefa.
The governing body insist pitch-watering must be announced at the pre-match meeting and has to be distributed evenly across the turf.
The “general rule” will also permit that watering must concluded one hour before kick-off, although there are times when this could be altered.
The full guidelines read: “The host association must announce the pitch-watering schedule at the pre-match organisational meeting.
“The pitch must be watered evenly and not only in certain areas.
“As a general rule, pitch watering must finish 60 minutes before kick-off.
EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT
“Additional pitch watering may be carried out if so decided by the host association in the qualifying competition and by UEFA in the final tournament, provided it takes place:
- Between 15 and 10 minutes before kick-off (or between 20 and 15 minutes before kick-off during the final tournament depending on the countdown); and/or
- During half-time (for a maximum of five minutes, allowing substitute players to warm up on the field of play).”
The Euros get underway on Friday when hosts Germany take on Scotland in Munich.